K. Duszyc

Pre-existing tissue mechanical hypertension at adherens junctions disrupts apoptotic extrusion in epithelia

This study shows that pre-existing mechanical tension at adherens junctions impairs apoptotic extrusion in epithelia, and this effect can be reversed by reducing tension.

Beclin1 is essential for intestinal homeostasis.

This study shows BECLIN1 is critical for intestinal homeostasis, as its deletion in adult mice causes fatal enteritis with compromised gut barrier integrity and morphological abnormalities.

Desmosome-anchored intermediate filaments facilitate tension-sensitive RhoA signaling for epithelial homeostasis

The paper identifies a mechanism where desmosome-anchored intermediate filaments enable RhoA signaling at adherens junctions to maintain epithelial homeostasis under tension.

Apical extrusion prevents apoptosis from activating an acute inflammatory program in epithelia.

The paper shows that apical extrusion prevents apoptosis from triggering inflammation in epithelia by eliminating apoptotic cells before they activate an IL-8-driven inflammatory response.

Enhanced RhoA signaling stabilizes E-cadherin in migrating epithelial monolayers.

The paper shows that RhoA signaling at adherens junctions stabilizes E-cadherin during epithelial migration by increasing junctional contractility and mechanical tension.

A unified view of neighbour cell engagement during apoptotic cell extrusion.

This study identifies RhoA activation via a Myosin VI-dependent mechanotransduction pathway as the mechanism by which apoptotic cells engage neighboring cells for extrusion, with S1P providing priming.